WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. JULY, 1863. MEMOIR OF MRS. ANNE HILL TAYLOR, WIFE OF THE REV. GEORGE TAYLOR. IN presenting a memorial of one who was most dearly loved, there is dauger lest affection should make the writer blind to faults, and cause him to indulge in excessive eulogy. In the present case he could say, that such was the character of his dear departed wife, that, after a lapse of forty years, he has no remembrance of one wrong action done, or word spoken. It is not asserted that she was faultless, or sinless; but this testimony may show how easy it is for memory to fail to retain, or for love to cover, instances of defect. The object is to magnify the power of grace and truth; to instruct and stimulate those who may read, and those who may listen, to the attainment and practice of holiness, so that they may glorify the Giver of all good. Within these limits the writer has endeavoured to keep; and, therefore, nothing marvellous must be looked for,-nothing beyond the unvarnished detail of a Christian's life. ANNE HILL TAYLOR was born of respectable parents, on the 17th of January, 1795, at Kettleston,—a village near to the towns of Fakenham and Walsingham, in Norfolk. Her early religious history was connected, somewhat closely, with the introduction of Methodism into the eastern part of that county. Mr. Wesley began to visit Norwich soon after the commencement of his evangelizing course. He went also to Yarmouth, and to Lynn; but it was not until 1781 that he reached the parts first named. "I went to Fakenham," he remarks in his Journal, October 29th, 1781, "and in the evening preached in the Room, built by Miss Franklin, now Mrs. Parker. I believe most of the town were present.-Tuesday, 30th. I went to Wells, a considerable sea-port, twelve miles from Fakenham; where also Miss Franklin had opened a door by preaching abroad, though at the peril of her life.......I learnt, that till the Methodists came they had none but female teachers in this country; and that there were six of these within ten or twelve miles, all of whom were members of the Church of England." For many years after this date, such teachers were found in this part of Norfolk. Some of them were gifted; all of them were eminently holy, and the honoured instruments of much good. In 1792 Walsingham is found on the list of Circuits; and in the following year the number of members reported is two hundred and forty,-which indicated a gracious visitation of the Divine Spirit. The water that "issued out from under the threshold" of the house of VOL. IX.-FIFTH SERIES. 2 P God soon rose "to the ankles." From village to village it spread, until it reached the family of Mrs. Taylor's parents, where its lifegiving power was seen in the conversion of her mother's brother, Josiah Hill; who became one of the most eminent preachers in the Methodist ministry. Another brother, John Hill, embraced the faith in Christ; and his light shone, with beautiful simplicity, to a protracted age. A third, James, also obtained the salvation of the Gospel; and for many years adorned his profession by the suavity of a gentleman, and the loving zeal of a Christian. A fourth, Harrison, followed in the same steps, and was for many years a Local preacher. A sister, too, found the Saviour, and became the wife of Richard Fisher, a Methodist minister, and mother of Thomas R. Fisher, also a Methodist minister,—both of whom laboured in the vineyard, until compelled by failing health to desist. The parents of Mrs. Taylor shared, with their relations just named, the blessings of true religion; and, like Lydia, opened their house for the entertainment of its ministers. In fact, by this gracious visitation, four or five comfortable homes belonging to this one family-circle were thus opened, in different villages; and these were kept open for many years, to the help and comfort of the heralds of the Cross. The early abode of Mrs. Taylor was not only a home for the ministers, but a temple for their Lord; the capacious kitchen of the farmer being set apart, at times appointed, as the place for worship. There, when very young, she heard and received the word of life, under the parental roof, from the lips of God's messengers. The truth produced a deep and salutary impression. She drank deeply of the cup of penitential sorrow, and would not be comforted till she found redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of her sins. She was never weary of talking about those times, which continued fresh and fragrant in her memory to the close of life. Besides these, she had other very valuable helps to her piety. The clergyman of the parish became a truly converted man, and then preached the Gospel with great earnestness. His church filled, and much good was the result. His dwelling was near to that of Mrs. Taylor's father. The families had much intercourse; and the minister took a lively interest in Anne's spiritual welfare. To his public discourses she listened with marked attention and much profit; and his oft-repeated counsels, given in private, she received with reverential affection. Nor could bigotry breathe where such real Christian love prevailed. Another guide of her early life was Mr. Samuel Easthangh, -an intelligent and clever man, of most exemplary piety. For a series of years he officiated as pastor of those who worshipped in Miss Franklin's chapel at Fakenham. Subsequently, he gave up his chapel to the Methodists, and became a fellow-helper of the ministers in spreading a knowledge of saving truth through the east of Norfolk. He was a frequent visiter at the home of Mrs. Taylor; and to herself, as to many more, his instructions were of great value. Her own uncle, also, the Rev. Josiah Hill, whom she loved intensely, and resembled not a little, was of great use to her. His inimitable tenderness and pathos opened the hearts of thousands for the reception of the word of truth, especially among the rising generation. Ministers themselves are little aware of the lasting good their counsels produce, when rightly given to the young, on the subject of personal religion. Other means may be adopted to conciliate and to retain friends; but it is the direct effort to deposit saving truth in the memory and the heart, that permanently affects character. In the case of Mrs. Taylor, as is common, early religious impressions stimulated her efforts in the cultivation of her mind. She made good use of the benefits of training in an excellent boarding-school at Lynn, which she left with high credit; and afterwards kept up the activity of her mind by reading and study,-for which she retained through life a keen relish; so that, when in company, she habitually turned away from lighter converse to lend a willing ear to the sayings of the serious and the wise. Her zeal for God was apparent in constant endeavours to do good. She was therefore entrusted with the care of a class, when scarcely twenty years of age. The godly bent of her mind was already manifest in her love to the book of God. She studied its truths, lived in obedience to its precepts, partook largely of its promised blessings, and drank in its hallowing inspirations. From youth, she almost daily sang, "When quiet in my house I sit, Thy book be my companion still; And search the oracles Divine, Till every heart-felt word be mine." Love to the sanctuary was, also, deeply implanted in her soul. She could appreciate the charms of pulpit eloquence, and rejoice in an able ministry but she went to the holy house to hold intercourse with God; and whenever His truth was proclaimed with fidelity and earnestness, her cup of satisfaction was full. Her attendance was not limited to once on the Lord's day. Necessity alone kept her from the place of solemn assembling. She went for devotion; and hence the prayer-meeting had the same powerful attraction as the more public service. For many years she attended on the Sabbath morning at six or seven o'clock, as well as at all other opportunities within her reach; and she earnestly exhorted others to attend also. Her love for Christian fellowship was strongly marked. If, when she entered on a new Circuit, she found no class ready to be entrusted to her care, she joined the class of another. This duty was one in which she took great delight, and in which she engaged to the edification of many. Often, in the lovefeasts, the hearts of hundreds were melted by her thrilling statements. This sacred impulse led her, wherever she lived, to seek for two or three who breathed a higher spiritual life, and drew nearer to the throne of the Holy One. Some special friends, of this class, she almost always found. Her habitual and ripening piety fitted her to fulfil the more suc cessfully all the relative duties of life. As a mother, she set an excellent example. It pleased the Lord and Giver of life to bless her with ten children. Two sons died very early. A third reached his sixth year, and was then taken off with afflictive suddenness. (An account of him may be found in "Early Days," for March, 1858, page 90.) The other seven children remain unto this day. She received her offspring as a charge from the hand of the great Ruler, that they might be duly trained for both worlds. In this great undertaking, she knew that she must bear an important part; and the first thing at which she aimed was the subjugation of the will of the child to parental authority,-knowing that, if this point were not gained, the order of nature would be inverted, and the little world turned upside down, in the obedience of parents to their children. The object was not easily attained; but the task was never abandoned as hopeless. To implant a reverential fear and love of God was a vital object which she sought to secure. From her own experience she knew that the mind is susceptible of religious impressions at an early age; and that parental endeavours to produce such impressions must be accompanied and followed by Divine influence. Therefore, while she placed religious truth before the minds of her children, she earnestly sought the gift of the Holy Spirit; that the "incorruptible seed"-"the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever"might take deep root, and spring up to eternal life. By these exertions the understanding was acted upon, and light was imparted. The conscience was awakened, and began to act its part. The susceptibility of the heart was rendered apparent, by the production of religious contrition. All this was followed by the mother's unwearied and vigilant oversight. Grace and truth thus wrought against the principle of evil; and, though not destroyed, it was held in check, and to a great extent counteracted. Its frightful character was, at the same time, plainly disclosed. The regular family devotions were often supplemented by the mother's heart-melting prayers in private with her children, with each one separately, or with the whole. The result is now before the world, in the union of all her children with the church of their fathers, and in the consecration of one to the office and work of the holy ministry. As a wife, her character may be expressed in a few words :-tenderness, affection, unfaltering fidelity, and devotedness to the honour and happiness of her husband. Among other features which appeared prominent in the character of Mrs. Taylor, may be mentioned, first, her sincerity. A more thoroughly transparent Christian could not be found. All pretence, and affectation of excellence, were as far from her as darkness from light. She was all she appeared to be-"an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Allied to her sincerity was veracity,-an uncompromising regard to truth. She had no sympathy with those who, in sportive freedom, trifle with its venerable claims; and she would not admit the apology, so often urged, that there was no intention to deceive. Akin to her veracity was a strong sense of justice. A healthy sensi tiveness marked all her conduct, with regard to what is just. If an |